Week 2 Reading Part 2

I am a sad, sad puppy! No one gets more carries away with stuff than me. I've read Harry Potter twice - all 7 books! (plus listened to the audio recordings) I've seen the Firefly series too many times to count. I love all things Joss Whedon. Twilight is my new addiction - songs, books, fanfics...but I have never created my own. I don't ever write my own stories or music. I'm not that creative.

In order to find a time in my life when I imitated something I was a fan of, I have to go all the way back to when I was 10 years old. The Monkees - they were the best to a 10-year-old in 1967. I read everything I could find, I listened to every song - such a simple time. I role-played the Monkees with my friends. We made up episodes and sang our own songs. I have no doubt that had there been digital media and web applications for me to access back then I would have been blogging and creating videos.

Actually, when I think about it - I don't think it's that I'm not creative enough. I just don't have the time. I think that's going to be a goal of mine - I have to create at least one of my own videos or write a fanfic episode - maybe of the Monkees!



Monkees TV Guide image taken from http://members.tripod.com/~ahiii/monkeesfilmTV.html

Week 2 Reading Part 1

Jenkins (Convergence Culture) ideas on "folk culture" centers on the idea that in the past there were closet creators. - people who borrowed music, images, video did so in secret. The new advent of mass culture allows (and often encourages) the sharing of projects. Jenkins goes on to point out that Japanese anime companies embraced the imitation by fans. They realized that their popularity increased through the creations of their new audience. Pretty smart!

Ahhh...Star Wars

I think I mentioned before that Star Wars was one of my first addictions to alternate worlds created in media. I saw all 3, then all 6, multiple times. My affection for the Lucas masterpiece was never diminished by fanfics or fan videos. Maybe it's the teacher in me, but anything that spurs creativity is a good thing - as long as no laws are being broken, of course. After the final episode was released creating new adventures is the only option for exploring the Star Wars world. I would rather have artists create new material released in the open than trying to pirate other's work for profit.

George Lucas and Lucas Arts have promoted fan creations. The company sponsors competitions for amateur created videos and helps select the winners. Additionally, Lucas, through his contractual agreements, still financially prospers from all of the related materials (costumes, props, music, etc.) purchased by amateur video artists. This all leads to some enjoyable stories and some entertaining videos.

Along with serious approaches to new adventures, I love parodies. I think I really just need some more humor in my life. Here's one of my favorites...

Show Me What You Know

This is a very scary look back at my first video efforts and a more hopeful look at where I've moved to, as well as a stab at where I'd like to be heading...Be kind!

When I started 8 1/2 months ago I had no experience with Photoshop, inDesign, iWeb, or really any media program other than MovieMaker and Photo Story. Moving through each new application one at a time was probably the only way I would have learned any of them. I am able to follow tutorials effectively and I did well through the lessons; however, at the same time, it leaves me feeling slightly nervous. I'm in that use or lose it mindset and I fear that I have lost some of it. I look forward to getting back into the applications that will halp me realize my goal...

create a working online newspaper for my school's Newspaper Class to populate.

I am definitely a hands on learner and I need as much constructivist action as I can get this month. Having confronted my ghosts, I am still a good gamble - I haven't lost faith in myself and I'm willing to keep juggling home, work, and school to find the time I need to properly invest in my learning. Go me!

Video can also be viewed on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsNWYmQs_2k

It's Just the Way I Feel

Sometimes I feel like this...

Everything is set on my calendar, organized, prepared for - all is well. I like those times. I am able to focus on each task with the attention I want to provide. I call the shots about my time. Then I wake up!

The e-mails start arriving, the phone messages start racking up and the deadlines - oh those deadlines - they start approaching.

That's when I start feeling like this...

I don't mean to be that way. I just hate spending time on tasks that hold no appeal. That is one of the hardest accomodations I am making while teaching and attending Full Sail Online - I don't have enough time to incorporate what I'm learning into lesson with any degree of complication. My high school classes keep marching along and I keep pulling the same lessons out of my...

files! (keep it clean here!) I have been able to use small snippets of the technology, but not enough to make me feel good about it. I can't wait for summer - for all of the obvious reasons - but also so I can really delve into my units and tech up!

Week 1 Reading Part 3

" May the force be with you." Some how it loses its meaning when Don Ho says it. Star Wars was my first case of alternate reality addiction - cult films. Before that I had some rather weak Halloween costumes and masks; Star Wars had movies, books, music, games, cards, comics, action figures (yeah!) and conventions! I guess Trekkies set the stage, but Kirk and Spock had nothing on Luke and Han to me.

I worked in a movie theatre for 15 years, so multiple viewings was part of routine - not so good when it's Billy Jack Goes to Washington (1977), but excellent when it's The Empire Strikes Back. Transmedia storytelling is an excellent evolution for true fans of any world. The depth I gained from multiple viewings and discussions with fellow employees at the theatre is now possible through online discussion boards, gaming, cartoons, and websites. Having the world expanded and detailed through the combination of these new media is what makes it so absorbing.

Cult films/shows can be identified by their sometimes fanatical following. Jenkins (Converegnce Culture) identifies some of the characteristics of a cult as being quotable, easily divided into parts, layers and added on other layers for fans to disect (Jenkins, 97). Transmedia storytelling adds to the layers and, therefore, contributes to the cult. Just thinking about cult attraction reminds me of Rocky Horror Picture Show back in the day. I wasn't a fan, but I worked many showings. It was like a big party, cult movies now encourage critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, and commuication skills. For me...Heroes, Firefly, and Twilight are just three of my escape hatches. I can theorize and quote with the best of them!

The origami unicorn comes from Bladerunner, a 1982 Harrison Ford movie, in which the world of human and androids was explored. The idea of the unicorn raised some questions about whether one of the main characters was human or not. That little symbol created a stir with fans and prompted much discussion similar to the transmedia worlds of today. The stir that was accidently created then is sought after now by media companies.

Bladerunner Unicorn image from http://ciaofromdonna.wordpress.com/2007/09/15/unicorn-origami-blade-runner/

Jenkins, H. (2006). Convergence culture where old and new media collide. New York: New York University Press.

Storm Trooper image from http://art.glitter-graphics.com/graphics/220974

Week 1 Reading Part 2

My iLike page lists Carrie Underwood as a favorite artist of mine – I have no problems with American Idol. I found myself swept up right along with the rest of the country that season – voting and voting often. I guess it gave me a sensation of empowerment; like I had a say in developing a new talent. And I actually liked that – scary! The advent of the average citizen – kids even – deciding something on TV was an amazing concept. The closest thing was Election Day, and while deciding the presidency is more “weighty” – it is certainly not more fun.

Henry Jenkins, , refers to the change as couch potato to itinerant. The explosion of video games, online computer applications and TV programs took the passive channel switching and tuned it into interactive decision-making. Kids may not be exercising their bodies, but their minds were now getting a workout.

In a country where OCD is getting to be as frequently diagnosed as allergies, allegiance to particular brands is not surprising. Products like Band-Aids, Klennex, and Q-Tips must love that their brand names are synonomous for the product itself. Who buys petroleum jelly? I buy Vaseline and I would never eat gelatin that's not Jello. The "love" consumers feel grows out of habit, trust, and as Jenkins tells us - emotion (Jenkins, 70). As advertising tempts us with beautiful bodies and happy families, we invest ourselves in the emotion of the products. They become part of our lives. I am just as guilty as anyone; my family blows their noses in a Klennex...Do you "Do the Dew?" I do!

Jenkins, H. (2006). Convergence culture where old and new media collide. New York: New York University Press.

Week 1 Reading Part 1

Deep Throat at work in a game show! I can't believe I never heard about ChillOne. As addicted as I can become about TV shows (Heroes, Monday @ 8:00), I was never a Survivor fan. Probably just as well, I have no time.

A few comments about the reading...

When I speak with my mom about convergence (she's 78), she goes on about how media and news swarm around kids today. I think she has a rather clear picture. In Convergence Culture, author Henry Jenkins talks about Old Media branching out into new technologies. All they were really doing was diversifying their business interests. Old Media described what Jenkins calls "delivery methods" (Jenkins, 14) as being convergent, all blending together to one output - the customer. It is more accurately divergent, though - at east for a period of transition. I see that with my high school students. They see media as only iPods and Blackberries; they see newspapers and magazines (beyond the photos and gossip) as old-fashioned. Media has done a poor job of converging technology - maybe teachers have too!

Collective Intelligence is an excellent concept - I wish my students were collectively inetelligent. Of course, they try to be during tests:) Spoiling, especially on a national level, has become a prime example. Hard core fans of any show or movie or book spend inordinate amounts of time trying to uncover gossip and leaks. The advent of the Web allowed for easy communication linking these fans in ways they never could before - 24/7. Participants started showing off their powers of deduction and investigation by sharing their theories and their discoveries. Websites like Showhype are excellent sources for curious fans to uncover tidbits.

Spoiling has many of the characteristics of gaming - competition, common goals, uncovering the facts. It's all about uncovering what others have spent time covering. Jenkins describes how spoiling is incredibley popular with college students - as is gaming (Jenkins, 52). They like to use the competencies that they are good at and enjoy. Spoiling fits the bill; they recieve admiration and praise from those unable to uncover the details. I'm hooked; I read the discussion forums and spoiler sites for the media I follow - guilty!

ShowHype Logo© from http://showhype.com
Mark Felt photo from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/81/MarkFelt.jpg
Jenkins, H. (2006). Convergence culture where old and new media collide. New York: New York University Press.

My First Blog

Well...this is a new experience. I have to admit - I rather like being able to talk without anyone interrupting with questions or comments. I guess that's the life of a teacher! The past 8 months have been a dizzying experience for me. I have gone from feeling like an expert, to a total novice, to - well - let's see...where am I now? More than a novice and nowhere near an expert, I guess. please watch my video for a brief peak into my image of myself...

or you can catch it on my YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sAU5UcO-yM